MSD (China) Investment Co., Ltd. issued a "Statement on MSD's COVID-19 Drug Molnupiravir Capsules" on January 11. The statement pointed out that recently, some manufacturers have been supplying COVID-19 drugs to certain provinces and cities under the banners of "MSD authorization" and "MSD donation." Sinopharm Holding Distribution Center Co., Ltd. is the sole and legally authorized importer of MSD in China and is responsible for distributing to downstream distributors. MSD has never authorized any other manufacturers in China to produce or replicate Molnupiravir and supply the Chinese market.
Attached is the original statement:
Molnupiravir Capsules (Molnupiravir, trade name: LAGEVRIO) is an anti-COVID-19 oral drug jointly developed by MSD and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. It received emergency conditional approval from the National Medical Products Administration of China on December 29, 2022. Currently, MSD is actively preparing stock to ensure orderly supply of the drug.
Recently, our company has noticed that some manufacturers, under the banners of "MSD authorization" and "MSD donation," are supplying COVID-19 drugs to certain provinces and cities in China. Our company hereby issues a solemn statement:
1. The generic name of MSD's oral COVID-19 medication is Molnupiravir Capsules, with the brand name Lagevrio, and no other Chinese names.
2. MSD's COVID-19 drug is packaged strictly in accordance with the documents approved by the state, and all products are assigned with a drug traceability code.
3. Sinopharm Holding Distribution Center Co., Ltd. is the sole and legally authorized importer of MSD's Molnupiravir within China and is responsible for distributing it to downstream distributors. MSD has never authorized any other manufacturers in China to produce or replicate Molnupiravir or supply it to the Chinese market.
4. To meet the needs of Chinese patients and support China in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, MSD has initiated negotiations with Sinopharm Group for a technology transfer license to produce Molnupiravir, allowing Sinopharm Group to manufacture and supply the drug within China in the future.
Our company strongly appeals to and sincerely hopes that all pharmaceutical production/operation enterprises, as well as pharmaceutical procurement and sales platforms, will respect the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and jointly maintain a legal and fair operating order in China's pharmaceutical market. Drugs from unofficial channels cannot guarantee their production, quality, or efficacy, and have not been approved by China’s national drug regulatory authorities, posing significant risks to patients' medication safety. MSD will take legal action to defend its legitimate rights and interests against infringement behaviors by some pharmaceutical enterprises.
Hereby Declare!
MSD (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
January 11, 2023